Fuel poverty can affect the most vulnerable and it often remains an invisible issue due to the stigma surrounding it. Today is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, a nationwide campaign to tackle exactly this phenomenon. In many cases the problem lies with people not being aware that they can save on their bills by switching to a better deal, which can be exacerbated by the fact that many live in old, inefficient housing that is difficult to heat, further driving up energy bills.

Dan from the Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) at HISBE supermarket in Brighton (Image by Nora Blascsok)

Thankfully, there are initiatives out there doing great work trying to tackle the problem. I went out in Brighton today to visit the Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo), who set up a stall for Fuel Poverty Awareness Day in HISBE, Brighton’s ethical supermarket. They are raising awareness of the services they offer to people struggling to pay their energy bills, such as showing people how to switch to a better deal or helping them apply for the Warm Home Discount.